Screams echoed through the dense, fog-covered forest.
Shadows moved between the trees, monstrous figures stalking their prey. The newly arrived players scrambled in all directions, panic overriding rational thought. Some ran. Others froze, unable to comprehend the nightmare unfolding before them.
Joon-ho stood motionless, his sharp gaze fixed on the darkness beyond.
He had been here before.
The Culling Grounds. The Tutorial Zone was simple in its brutality—survive for 24 hours.
No weapons. No guidance. Just fear, blood, and the cold realization that only the strong would live.
Joon-ho exhaled, gripping his newly purchased knife. He had prepared for this.
This time, he would not be one of the desperate fools running blindly into death.
The First Kill
A young man stumbled past Joon-ho, panting heavily. "T-There's something in the trees!" he gasped. "We need to run!"
Joon-ho didn't respond. He had no interest in weaklings.
Then, the creature struck.
A Lernaian Hound lunged from the fog—a three-headed wolf, its matted fur black as night, glowing red eyes locking onto its prey.
It moved fast.
The man screamed, raising his hands as if that would protect him. It wouldn't.
Joon-ho stepped forward. His knife flashed.
Slash!
A clean, precise cut—straight across the beast's jugular.
The Lernaian Hound gurgled, its heads snapping wildly as black blood spurted from its throat. It thrashed, but Joon-ho had already sidestepped its final struggle.
The hound collapsed.
A golden notification appeared in the air before him.
[You have slain a Lernaian Hound.][+50 EXP][You have earned your First Skill.]
Joon-ho's eyes gleamed. This was what he had been waiting for.
A glowing blue window materialized in front of him.
[Choose Your First Skill]Blood Predator – Each kill restores a portion of health and stamina.Phantom Step – Allows the user to move unpredictably, making them harder to hit.Keen Edge – Increases cutting power and weapon durability.
He smirked.
In his past life, he had been forced to take a defensive skill just to stay alive. This time? He would carve through his enemies without hesitation.
He chose:
[Blood Predator]
[You have acquired Blood Predator.][With every kill, you regain health and stamina.]
Joon-ho took a deep breath, feeling a faint pulse of power in his veins. A passive regeneration ability. It would allow him to fight without tiring, without fear.
He knelt beside the beast's corpse, wiping his knife clean. The man he had just saved was still frozen, eyes wide with terror.
"You—You killed it?" the man stammered.
Joon-ho glanced at him. Weak. Helpless. Worthless.
"You should run," Joon-ho said flatly.
He wouldn't be babysitting anyone.
Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the mist.
There were more monsters to kill.
The Culling Begins
Time passed. The night deepened. The screams grew fewer, replaced by low growls and the crunch of bones.
Most of the weak had already died.
Joon-ho moved like a phantom, slipping between trees, striking fast and without mercy.
Slash. Kill. Absorb. Move.
Each Lernaian Hound he felled made him stronger. His stamina never faltered. His body adapted.
By the time the first hour passed, his notifications had flooded with messages:
[You have slain a Lernaian Hound.][+50 EXP][+50 EXP][+50 EXP][You have leveled up!]
Joon-ho smirked. Good.
He pulled up his status window.
[Player Status]
Name: Kang Joon-hoLevel: 3Skills: Blood Predator (Passive)Strength: 12Agility: 14Endurance: 11Perception: 13Stamina: 15
He had already surpassed his past self's strength at this point in the Tower.
This time, he would leave everyone behind.
The First Major Threat
Just as he was about to resume hunting, a deep, guttural roar shook the air.
Joon-ho's head snapped toward the sound. Something big was coming.
From the mist, a massive silhouette emerged. Twice the size of the hounds, its muscular body covered in thick, obsidian-like scales.
Its eyes glowed with malice.
A Lernaian Alpha.
A boss monster.
Most players wouldn't even survive a single hit from this thing.
Joon-ho grinned. Perfect.
If he killed this beast, his advantage would be absolute.
He raised his knife. His body tensed.
The first real battle was about to begin.